Chelsea ‘must not derail us’

– Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (above) is hopeful the obstacle of a trip to Chelsea in the FA Cup does not hinder his side’s prospects of completing a Europa League last16 win over Rostov.

United drew 1-1 in Russia in the first leg of their tie on Thursday after Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s firsthalf opener was cancelled out by an Aleksandr Bukharov strike shortly after the break.

It was a good result after a long trip for a match played on a shocking surface at the Olimp 2 stadium – so bad that Mourinho had questioned whether the match should have gone ahead at all.

United host Rostov in the return at Old Trafford next Thursday but before that they go to Chelsea in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Monday night, meaning the Portuguese manager will have to adequately manage his squad to avoid fatigue.

And he acknowledged the importance of the Europa League as a potential route into next season’s Champions League for a team sitting sixth in the Premier League.

“We want to keep the two goals open. In the Europa League, if you manage to go to the quarterfinals, then in the semifinals, you feel it so we have to try,” said Mourinho, whose side have already won the English League Cup this season.

Of the game in Rostov, the former Chelsea manager admitted disappointment at his side’s inability to hold their lead but hinted that the outcome still suited him.

“You know, an away goal is always positive. It’s better to be 1-1 than 0-0 but the game is open,” said Mourinho, who won the Uefa Cup with Porto in 2003.

“The result is open and this Rostov team, they have experience at playing big matches, big opponents and big stadiums. I don’t think it’s a problem for them to compete against us.

“They play Sunday against Terek Grozny, we play Monday against Chelsea. For us it’s difficult but we are one step from being in the quarterfinals.”

Rostov will travel to England without Timofei Kalachev and captain Aleksandr Gatskan, who will be suspended after picking up bookings. They also lost Vladimir Granat who broke his collarbone. – AFP

You know, an away goal is always positive. It’s better to be 1-1 than 0-0. Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager